Safety gas shutoff



Aug. 21, 1951 P. P. CATALANO ET AL SAFETY GAS SHUTOFF 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed Feb. 10, 1947 Aug. 2l, 1951 P. P. CATALANO ET AL SAFETY GAS .SHUTOFF' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1947 0 o s n Y WZ? M Q5@ y a .P NPA @i A A @j g @A \M\\\\\\\ .Q mw NN Lm v N/ v M MIT h m Patented Aug. 21, 1951 -SAFETY GASl SHUTOFF Peter P.Catalano, Joseph P. Catalano, and Frank P. Catalano, North Collins, N. Y., assignors to "Panepinto Mfg. Corp., North corporation' of New York Collins, N. Y., a

pplication February 10, 1947, Serial No. 727,690

5 Claims. l

This invention relates to safetyy valves and more particularly to 'safety' shut-off valves for gas lines. f

It is an object of this'invention to provide an improved safety gas shut-off valveof the kind to be more specifically described hereinafter, which is so constructed and arranged that the gas or other fluid iiow in a tube or line will be automatically shut oil when the pressure through the valve drops to a predetermined valve and will not go on again through the valve until' reset by a person desiring to re-establishl the gas or iiuid flow.

The valve is designed primarily for use on gas lines which conduct gas to a burner so that when the flow of gas drops so far that thelame of the burner becomes extinguished the gas may not be started again without the knowledge of the person using the valve or burner whereby the gas is prevented from flowing and escaping from the burner and use for whichit is intended. f

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved safety cut-olf valve 'of this kind which is very compact and may be readily installed in any fluid conducting'pipe or tube by coupling the valve between adjacentl pipe sections.

Still another object of thisvinvention is to' provide an improved safety cut-off valve having a minimum number of moving parts with which maintenance troubles may be found, which is simple and efficient in its construction and operation, and which may be readily "installed in a uid line without the use of special toolsior without requiring special trainingv and experience.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved check valve of this kind having a valve slidably mounted in the body and a lever pivotally mounted in the body for operating the valve. 'I'he lever will be balanced atv the-opposite end from the valve by the pressure of the gas entering the valve body vand will hold the valve open until the pressure decreases to such a point that the weight off the valvelinthe body will overbalance the lever'for shutting off the flow. n

With the above and other objects in view, our invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction- :disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a longitudinal section Vtaken through a safety valve constructed'according. to an embodiment of this invention,V p u Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a detailed fragmentary sectiorr taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, 1 Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of a modincation of this invention,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4. n y Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates generally a safety shut-off valve for use in gas lines or other fluid conveying tubes or pipes for shutting off of the now of the gas or fluid through the pipes when the pressure drops to a predetermined minimum value. The safety shut-off valve of this invention is adapted to be formed in a cylinder or sleeve which may be a part of the tubes or pipes which normally convey the duid or gas to a burner or other place where the fluid is used.

The safety shut-off valve I I) is formed with a tubular housing or body II which is threaded internally throughout its length as at I2, whereby the housing II may be joined with the threaded end of adjacent pipes I4. A cylindrical plug I5 is formed with exterior threads as I6 for engaging with the threads I2 of the sleeve II so that the plug I5 may be positioned entirely within the body II. The plug I5 is formed with a notch II intermediate the length thereof,

which extends substantially from one edge across` the diameter of the block to provide a semi-circular elongated opening I8 therein. Cutting the notch I1 to form a space I8 in the plug I5 forms end walls I9 at the extremities of the plug. A passage or bore 20 is formed in the plug I5 extending longitudinally thereof and opening outwardly from one end, and the bore or passage 2| at right angles to the passage 20 communicates between the passage 20 and the space I8.

The upper end of the passage 2| is inclined outwardly to form a valve seat 22 at the bottom of the space I8. At the other end of the plug I5, a bore 24 is provided which extends longitudinally of the plug I5 parallel to the bore 20 and the bore 24 communicates between theopen end of the plug I5 and the space I8. A ball 25 is positioned in the bore 24 for sliding or rollingmovement therein and is prevented from rolling out of the bore 24 by a pin 26 through the end I 9a of the plug I5, the pin 26 extending diametrically across the passage 24 for blocking the passage at the outer end.

For preventing the ball 25 from rolling into the space I 8 of the valve, a short strip of metal 21 is fixed to the inner wall of the space I8 by a 3 rivet 28 or other suitable fastening devices, and extends partly across the bore 24. A lever 29 is pivotally supported within the space I8 of the plug l intermediate its length, by a pin S0 between a pair of upstanding ears 3l fixed to the plug I5. One end of the lever 29 extends forwardly of the valveand is adapted to be positioned within the space-24. This end 32 ofthe lever 29 is inclined downwardly and forwardly at its extreme end, whereby the ball may slidingly be engaged over the inclined edge for holding this end 32 of the lever down as the pressure orforce of the fluid entering through the passage 24 holds` the ball 25 against rolling or sliding down off of the lever 32. The other end 34 of thelever 29 in its normal position, as shown in full lines in Figure l, extends forwardlyand upwardly in the plug I5, and a valve is loosely mounted on its '4 to the connection of valve 35 on lever 29 except that boss 35h, formed as a round headed nut, is screw mounted on the stem 31h under the extended end 39a of lever 54. The stem 31h is formed with a dependent rod portion 31c which extends through a bore |31 in plug I5a and spaces valve .35a attached to the end thereof, a substantial'distance from the lever end 39a. Threaded onto stem 31h above and 39a is an adjusting nut 1.38 and a lock nut |38 and a cup 52 fixed on the other en d. The cup 52 is disposed immediately below the elbow 5I so that incoming gas through extreme end. The extreme end of this end 34 of the lever 29 is provided with an opening 35 and a stem 31 ofthe valve. 35. loosely engages in this opening 36 for loosely supporting the .valye35 thereon. The valve 35- is provided with a hemispherical boss 35 in whichstem 31 is secured.

The .extreme endof stem 51 isthreadedto accommodate an interiorly threaded member or nut 38 for `selectively positioning valve35 -r-elative to lever 34, and a threaded nut '38 serves Aas alock nut. The valve .3.5is engageable in the valve seat 22 when the pressure of incominguid is insufficient to hold the ball 25 on the lever .29 as the weight of the valve rocks the lever abouts its fulcrum. When the pressure is re-established in the-pipes I4, it Willbe necessary vto manua1ly-reset the valve I9. The incoming pressure will roll the ball `25 forwardly inthe passageZA, but as the end-32 oiv the lever4 29 is spaced .upwardly from the bottom of the passage, the-ball 25 cannot engage over this end. i v In re-setting the valve .10, a plunger 39-is slidably mounted in thesleeve Il. The plunger 39 is'formed with a cylindrical plug ilfthreaded into the sleeve Il or otherwise suitably attached', and a pin 4l is slidably supported in the plug 40. A disc or piston 42 is formed on the pin lll within the plug 4D, and a spring 4A between the bottom of the plug 4U and the piston l2 constantly presses the plunger 39 upwardly..

A cap 45 closes the upper end of thefplug 4D foi-.positioning theplunger 39 therein. The pin 4I engages the rear armifilof the lever 29'when pressed downwardly for `moving the endof the lever adjacent the bottompf the passage 24 so that the pressure ofthe gas will roll the ball 25 on the lever 32 for holding the valve 35 open in its normal operative position.

In Figures 4 and. 5 there is disclosed. a modied form of this invention in which the ball 25 engaging on the lever 29 is; omitted and replaced by a cup against which vthe force of the incoming fluid will impinge for holding the valve open.. The valve I0a is disclosed in Figures 4 and 5 comprising a cylindrical sleeve I la formed in the same manner as the sleeve I I, having a plug I5a positioned therein. The plug I5a is formed with a cutoutl portion I8a intermediate the length thereof, similar to the space -IS described above.

The plug I5a is formed with a longitudinal inlet'passage 50 at one end thereof and an elbow 5I communicates with thepassage 59 for Aturning the incoming fluid or .gas at'right angles downwardly in the space lila. A lever 29a is pivotally mounted in the space' lila-in the-same manner as the lever 29, having a valve 35arockably mounted at one end thereof in a`;`manner generally similar the inlet passage and elbow 5I will impinge in the cup 52 for holding this end 54 of the lever 29a `downwardly and the valve 35a open. The body I 5a is formed with a cup-shaped opening 55 immediately below the cup 52 to provide a space for the cup in the downward position of this end 540i the lever 29a.

A longitudinal passage 56 is formed in the plug I5a communicating with the space 55 by a right angular passage 51 and with a longitudinal outlet passage 58 through the valve seat 59 in the right angular passage 60 between the outlet 53 and the passage 56. Lugs 6I are provided at the bottom of the cup-:shaped recess to prevent the cup52 from sealing the opening to the passage 51.

The incoming gas will pass through the passage 50 and the elbow 5I and impinge in the cup 52 for holding the end -54 of the lever downwardly and the other end |52 upwardly so that the valve 35a is raised from the valve seat 59 to permit the gas to flow about the cup 52 in the opening 55 through the passages 51 and 56, the valve 59, and out through the passages and 59, When the pressure of the gas diminishes to a predetermined value, the weight of the valve 35a will overbalance the weight of the cup 52 and the end 52 ofthe lever-29a will move downwardly so that the valve 35a will seat-in the valve seat 59 forv closing the outlet passage. through `the plug I5a. For resetting the valve I-Ua, a plunger 39 is provided similar to the plunger 39 described above so that the pin14I will engage the arm 54 -of the lever 29a for raising the valve and opening the passage 39 when the pressure of the gas is re-established.

We do not mean to confine ourselves to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A safetyvalvecomprising a tubular sleeve, a plug in said sleeve, said plug formed with an intermediate cutout portion, said plug 'formed with an inlet and outlet port at opposite ends thereof communicating with said cutout, a valve for closing said outlet port, 'a pivoted lever in said cutout portion connected at one end to said valve, the other end of said lever extended into said inlet port, said valve and one end of the lever overbalancing the other end of the lever, a ball in said inlet port engageable on said other end of said lever in said inlet port upon the flow of sufficient fiuid through said inlet port, the weight of the b'all and the other end of the lever being suincient to overbalance the weight of the valve and said one end of the lever, said lever being so arranged that said ball is gravitatingly disengaged from said lever when the iiuid flow falls to a predetermined value.

2. A safety `shut-off valve comprising a tubular sleeve, a cylindrical plug in said sleeve, said plug formed with an lelongated cut-out intermediate the length thereof. a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its length on. said plug in said cut-out;

said plug formed with longitudinal bores through each end thereof communicating with said cutout, a valve seat formed on the inner end of one of said bores, a valve rockably mounted on one end of said lever engageable in said valve seat, said valve and said lever producing a resul-tant moment of force about the pivot of said lever in a direction tending to seat said valve, and a Huid ow actuated member associated with the other end of said lever effective when subjected to a flow of fluid in excess of a predetermined value to apply to said lever a moment of force in a direction tending to unseat said valve sulcient to overcome the valve seating moment.

3. A safety shut-off valve comprising a tubular sleeve, a cylindrical plug in said sleeve, said plug formed with an elongated cut-out intermediate the length thereof, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its length on said plug in said cut-out, said plug formed with longitudinal bores through each end thereof communicating with said cutout, a valve seat formed on the inner end of one of said bores, a valve rockably mounted on one end of said lever engageable in said valve seat, said valve and said lever producing a resultant moment of force about the pivot of said lever in a direction `tending to seat said valve, a fluid 110W actuated member associated with the other end of said lever effective when subjected to a flow of fluid in excess of a predetermined value to apply to said lever a moment of force in a direction tending to unseat said valve sucient to overcome the valve seating moment, and a springpressed pin slidable through said sleeve engageable with said other end of said lever for resetting said valve in valve open position, the moment of force of the weight of said valve and said lever exceeding the moment of force of said lever and said member to move said valve to valve closing position in the absence of said predetermined flow.

4. A safety cut-off valve comprising a cylindrical sleeve, a plug in said sleeve, said plug formed With a cutout portion intermediate the length thereof, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its length in said cutout, said plug formed with an inlet and outlet port at opposite ends thereof, a valve for closing said outlet port, one end of said lever operatively connected to said valve, said valve and said lever producing a moment of force about the pivot of sai-d lever in a direction tending to seat said valve, the other end of said lever extending into said inlet port. and a sliding member in said inlet port movable from a position out of engagement with said lever to a position engageable over with the other end of said lever by fluid entering said inlet port in excess of a predetermined velocity, said member when engageable over said lever coacting with said lever to provide a moment of force about said pivot sufficient to hold said valve open, and means for gravitatingly disengaging said member from said lever upon lowering of said velocity to a predetermined value, the said moment of force tending to seat the valve being sucient to effect seating thereof when said sliding member is out of engagement with the lever.

5. A safety shut-off valve comprising a tubular sleeve, a'plug in said sleeve, said plug formed with an elongated cut-out on one side intermediate the length thereof, said plug formed with an inlet and outlet port at opposite ends, and a communicating passage including said cut-out therebetween, a valve seat in said communicating passage, a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its length in said cut-out, a valve carried by said lever and arranged to cooperate with said seat, said valve and said lever producing a resultant moment of force about the pivot of said lever in a direction tending to seat said valve, a cup-shaped member on the other end of said lever positioned to be impacted by Iiuid entering the inlet and moved downwardly to open said valve when the weight of the cup and the force of the fluid produce a moment of force in excess of the moment of force of said valve and lever, the arrangement being such that when the velocity of entering uid is above a predetermined amount, the valve will be opened, and when said velocity drops below a predetermined amount the valve will be closed.

PETER P. CATALANO. JOSEPH P. CATALANO. FRANK P. CATALANO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

